explain the merits and demerits of bicameralism
Answers
Answer:
Five Merits and Demerits of Bicameralism
(1) Prevention of hasty legislation:
(2) Safeguard of individual liberty:
(3) Representation of different interests:
(4) Representation of the units in a federation:
(5) Smooth working of the legislature:
(1) Superfluous and unnecessary:
(2) Lack of Unity:
(3) Delay of passing laws:
Answer:
. Check on Hasty Legislation-
In a state, laws are of utmost importance because they regulate the life and property of the people. Hence, they are to be made without any bias and with proper care and consideration. The second chamber revises the hasty, ill considered legislation, as it is free from haste, passion and excitement.
2. Check against Tyranny of a Single Chamber-
The existence of a second chamber provides safeguard against the tyranny and despotism of a single chamber legislature. Mill believed that a second chamber would act as a check against “the corrupting influence of undivided power.” By checking the despotism of a single chamber, it would safeguard the liberty of individuals.
3. Representation of Different Interests-
It secures representation of various interests and classes. The first chamber is usually based on direct election. The second chamber in some states provides for representation of minorities and of the aristocratic and intellectual elements. For instance, the Rajya Sabha in India has 12 nominated members with special achievement in the fields of art, science, literature and social service.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
4. Relief of the Burden-
The second chamber reduces the workload of a single chamber considerably. Noncontroversial bills may at first be introduced in the upper house to minimize the burden of the first chamber.
5. Scope for the Competent and Talented Persons-
It provides opportunity to men of worth and talent to get seats in the upper house. Such men usually fight shy of direct election.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
6. Indispensable for Federal Government-
In a federal state there are different units. The federating units or regional governments have their separate identities. They are to be represented in the national legislature
Demerits of Bicameralism
1. An Unnecessary System-
Abbe Sieyes repudiates bicameralism by saying, “Of what use will a second chamber be? If it agrees with the Representative House, it will be superfluous, if it disagrees, mischievous.” The second chamber is an unnecessary and expensive addition to the legislative machinery.
2. Wastage of Time and Energy-
Law-making process is a long one of analysis and discussion. After it is completed in one house, according to Laski,, there is no need for repetition of the same thing again in another house. The work in the second chamber is, therefore, only wastage of time and energy.
3. Very Expensive-
Considerable amount of money is spent to maintain a legislature, if the legislature is bicameral more expenditure for the legislature becomes necessary and money comes from the common people in the shape of taxes. So second chamber is a burden on the purse of the governed.
Demerits of Bicameralism
1. An Unnecessary System-
Abbe Sieyes repudiates bicameralism by saying, “Of what use will a second chamber be? If it agrees with the Representative House, it will be superfluous, if it disagrees, mischievous.” The second chamber is an unnecessary and expensive addition to the legislative machinery.
2. Wastage of Time and Energy-
Law-making process is a long one of analysis and discussion. After it is completed in one house, according to Laski,, there is no need for repetition of the same thing again in another house. The work in the second chamber is, therefore, only wastage of time and energy.
3. Very Expensive-
Considerable amount of money is spent to maintain a legislature, if the legislature is bicameral more expenditure for the legislature becomes necessary and money comes from the common people in the shape of taxes. So second chamber is a burden on the purse of the governed.
Demerits of Bicameralism
1. An Unnecessary System-
Abbe Sieyes repudiates bicameralism by saying, “Of what use will a second chamber be? If it agrees with the Representative House, it will be superfluous, if it disagrees, mischievous.” The second chamber is an unnecessary and expensive addition to the legislative machinery.
2. Wastage of Time and Energy-
Law-making process is a long one of analysis and discussion. After it is completed in one house, according to Laski,, there is no need for repetition of the same thing again in another house. The work in the second chamber is, therefore, only wastage of time and energy.
3. Very Expensive-
Considerable amount of money is spent to maintain a legislature, if the legislature is bicameral more expenditure for the legislature becomes necessary and money comes from the common people in the shape of taxes. So second chamber is a burden on the purse of the governed.